By Mark Hallum
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) hosted a presidential debate viewing party at The Creek and the Cave, at 10-93 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City, Monday night, along with the club’s owner, Rebecca Trent. The event was primarily a chance for Clinton supporters from the area to mingle with one another and cheer on their candidate.
Van Bramer voiced strong admiration for Clinton as well as his belief that she is the choice for progress in the United States. The councilman said he would take a bus load of supporters to Philadelphia to go door to door for the Clinton campaign.
“She has to win this election for women, for immigrants, for people of color, for gay men who like being married, and for gay women too,” Van Bramer said.
As the interaction between the two candidates progressed, those in attendance cheered at rebuttals that Clinton made to remarks by her opponent. If there were any Trump supporters in the room, they kept their opinion to themselves.
Brent O’Leary, who is President of the Hunters Point Civic Association and worked with the Democratic National Committee for four years, was another Clinton supporter at the event. He said he thought that a major source of division in the country is due to the general tone of the national discourse about politics, which has taken on a strongly personal emphasis.
“It’s not just an intellectual debate anymore, people think their character is being attacked,” he said before the debate started, adding he would like for America to see how Trump rarely elaborates on the broad statements he makes. “I’m hoping she brings up policy and shows that he doesn’t have the experience,” O’Leary said.
According to Van Bramer, Trump was not able to gain the upper hand in the debate with Clinton displaying control in the face of what Van Bramer saw at the outlandish remarks Trump made. He also noted that Clinton did not let the chaos that her opponent thrives on govern the time allowed for her responses. Clinton made her case with examples and “substance,” Van Bramer said, whereas he noted that Trump seemed to lack any intention to elaborate on any claims of how he could improve the U.S. economy.
“It’s like she’s standing up to the class bully in front of the world,” one Clinton supporter said. “There’s a veil that’s hopefully going to be uplifted tonight.”
William Garret, who has lived in Long Island City for over 20 years, said he thought Trump may have been subdued in comparison to his appearances in other debates, possibly because his new campaign manager has better control over the candidate. However, he was not impressed by how often Trump bragged about his wealth.
All in all, though, the atmosphere at the LIC establishment was focused on Clinton, and the mood in the room was generally cheerful and positive about her performance in the debate.
The Queens Village Republican Club did not hold an event in Queens, but dined at the Park City Diner in Garden City, LI.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
